Chapter 23: Returning Home

The work at the Zhang Clan’s ancestral school was recommended by Miao Sanniang’s father. Though he was notoriously tight-fisted, his network was surprisingly broad, and he happened to know the scholar at the Zhang Clan’s school. After the recommendation, however, Miao Sanniang’s father only provided one month’s tuition out of two, and only suggested that Guo Lin try it out—there was no promise of definite employment.

After Guo the Scholar fell ill and could no longer teach, Zhang Yue found time to return home. He journeyed from the scholar’s small mountain village, following the Nanpu Stream downstream, careful to heed his elder brother’s warning not to take a private ferry. He spent thirty coins at the official crossing, then walked for over half an hour before he finally arrived at Shui’nan New Street.

Shui’nan New Street was as it had always been. Hawkers shouted on either side, peddling wares to pilgrims bound for the mountains and merchants passing through. The street remained narrow and congested, with dirty water flowing unchecked. The buildings lining the street had their eaves nearly touching, with makeshift canopies added for extra space. This was the way of common folk; one household would build a shed in front of their door, another would secretly expand overnight.

These additions were all for storefronts. Some were built inside the house, others as floating stalls right out front, supposedly temporary but in truth encroaching on the street. The riverside houses were no better, squatting right on the bank. Disputes among neighbors were common—one claimed another had built onto their house, another protested an encroachment on their land, and if someone expanded three feet toward the street, their neighbor would do the same.

Once, three carriages could travel side by side on Shui’nan New Street; now, even one could barely pass.

When Zhang Yue arrived home and knocked, it was Yu who opened the door.

"Uncle... you’re back from your studies?" Yu looked both surprised and pleased, though worry lingered in her brows.

Zhang Yue nodded. "There's no class today. I took leave from my teacher to come home and see Brother and Sister-in-law."

"That’s good. You’ve been traveling, come in and rest."

Zhang Yue felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity, as if he were a guest in his own home. The house was different, cluttered with odds and ends, the sound of footsteps and children playing coming from upstairs.

This isn’t Zhang Qiu, he thought. Zhang Qiu, though young, was always quiet and would never make such a racket.

Yu served Zhang Yue some water and explained, "It's Madam Xu the fishmonger’s daughter-in-law. She lost her husband young and now brings up a two-year-old on her own. She and Madam Xu are renting from us. Though they pay only two hundred coins a month, Madam Xu often brings us unsold fish, which saves us another two or three hundred coins."

Sister-in-law really knew how to manage a household. Zhang Yue had assumed, coming from such a wealthy family, she wouldn’t be thrifty.

He smiled, "That’s wonderful. I remember Xi’er loves fish. Speaking of Xi’er, is he at school?"

"Yes, he’ll be back this afternoon." At the mention of Zhang Qiu, a tired but fond smile appeared on Yu’s face. "Uncle, will you return to Wuxi after lunch?"

Zhang Yue’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he replied, "Yes. Where’s my brother?"

Yu said, "He’s at Mr. Xu’s tea house. We thought he’d at least be helping with the accounts, but he mostly runs errands and sometimes has to put on a smile to collect debts."

Zhang Yue felt for his brother. He used to run a shop, a respectable merchant—now, he was reduced to errands and odd jobs, a steep fall in status.

Zhang Yue untied his bundle. "Sister-in-law, there's nothing special from Wuxi, just some mountain goods. I need to go into town, but I’ll come back to see Brother and Xi’er."

He set down the bundle and turned to leave.

Yu stood as well, a bit embarrassed. "Then come home early—I’ll cook your meal."

"All right."

After Zhang Yue left, Yu opened the bundle to find rabbit pelts, mountain mushrooms, and wild bamboo shoots—all mountain fare.

Mountain goods were worth little in the hills, but in town, they fetched a good price. Zhang Yue’s frail body had carried these things all the way from the mountains to the city for his family. It showed he still cared deeply.

"Uncle," Yu murmured, her gaze complicated, "really understands things now."

After leaving the mountain goods, Zhang Yue entered the city via the Nanpu Bridge. He didn’t visit anywhere else, but went straight to look for Peng Jingyi—after all, he seldom returned, and wanted to see his childhood friend. At Peng’s house, he learned from the family that Peng Jingyi had gone to Renshou Fort.

Zhang Yue left a message, then went to the residence of the county constable, Peng.

Again, he missed his mark—the constable was out on official business. Zhang Yue left his gift of osmanthus tea and headed home.

By then, his brother and Zhang Qiu had returned.

Zhang Qiu was delighted at Zhang Yue’s return and declared, "Uncle, I’ve memorized all of the Three Character Classic you taught me!"

"Uncle doesn’t believe it! Recite it for me!" Zhang Yue challenged.

Without pause, Zhang Qiu began, "At man’s birth, his nature is good..." His childish voice filled the house as Yu busied herself in the kitchen and his brother washed up, sleeves rolled.

Zhang Qiu continued, "Diligence brings merit; play brings no benefit. Beware, and strive with all your might."

Zhang Yue was overjoyed. "Xi’er, you’re remarkable! Not only did you memorize it, you didn’t miss a word."

Zhang Qiu blushed at the praise.

"All right, stop pestering your uncle. Help set the table," Yu said, bringing out a plate of fish and calling up the stairs, "Madam Xu, my brother-in-law is home and we have extra food—please come join us."

A voice drifted down, "Thank you, madam, but we’ve already eaten..."

After a few exchanges of courtesy, Madam Xu and her family did not come down.

Zhang Yue and Zhang Qiu arranged the bowls and chopsticks. The table was soon set with five or six simple dishes—nothing fancy, but nothing in the world tastes better than home cooking.

Zhang Shi took his usual seat at the head of the table. "When did you get home?"

Zhang Yue answered truthfully.

He was pleased to hear Zhang Yue had visited the county constable. "That’s the way. Last time, we owed him much for overturning the verdict. Now that he’s helped you, you mustn’t neglect the relationship—it's a serious misstep."

"It’s not that we expect more help in the future, but to remember kindness for a lifetime. Never forget that."

"I’ll remember, Brother," Zhang Yue replied.

Zhang Shi smiled, "I can tell the constable thinks highly of you."

"Are you two finished? The food’s getting cold," Yu interjected, joining them.

"Mother, can I start eating?" Zhang Qiu piped up.

"You may, you may. We brothers got so caught up talking we forgot you were hungry," Zhang Shi said with a laugh.

At last, they began their meal.

Zhang Shi teased Yu, "With all these dishes, anyone would think we’re entertaining guests."

Yu replied with a smile, "Uncle is family. He rarely comes home—how could we treat him poorly?"

"It’s too much trouble for you, sister-in-law," Zhang Yue protested.

Yu just smiled.

"There's no need for such words among family," Zhang Shi said. "Since you’re here, spend the night and leave tomorrow."

Yu coughed lightly.

Zhang Shi corrected himself, "Right, the house is full. Why not stay at Constable Cao’s place tonight?"

Yu said nothing, her face closed.

"No need, Brother," Zhang Yue replied quickly. "I have lessons at the academy and must return tonight."

Zhang Shi nodded and said no more.

After dinner, Zhang Yue shouldered his bundle and set off again—if he left too late, the mountain road would become dangerous.

At the door, Zhang Qiu lingered, reluctant to part. "Uncle, when will you come back?"

Zhang Yue patted his head. "When I finish my studies, I’ll return. You must listen to your parents, study hard, and remember—‘Diligence brings merit; play brings no benefit. Beware, and strive with all your might.’ Don’t forget."

"Uncle, you sleep in every day and you still lecture me!" Zhang Qiu protested.

Zhang Yue left without looking back. As he walked away, tears streamed down Zhang Qiu’s cheeks—so choked with emotion, he forgot to confess that he’d once told the tutor his uncle was teaching him the Three Character Classic.

Zhang Shi walked him to the gate, watched him go, and then pressed a bag of coins into his hand. "Study hard at the academy, but don’t make things too hard for yourself. Be careful with money."

"Brother, I still have some left from last time. This is too much," Zhang Yue protested.

"We’re managing. Don’t be stingy—if you need anything, you have me," Zhang Shi replied with a smile.

Isn’t everything supposed to depend on our father-in-law? Zhang Yue thought, uncertain, but took the money anyway, bade farewell, and set off.

Back home, Zhang Shi could not help but scold Yu. "He rarely comes home—why did you send him away? Not even for one night?"

Yu replied, "Have you forgotten what you said? When Madam Xu moved in, we agreed that Uncle would stay at the academy except for holidays. Since we made a promise, we must keep it."

"It’s just one night—Madam Xu wouldn’t mind," Zhang Shi argued.

"I’m thinking of you, Shi Lang. I worry that Uncle’s sudden return means he’s lost the will to study. It’s hard out there, but comfortable at home. If he gets used to idleness, what then? All our efforts would be wasted. Since we promised to support him for two or three years, he mustn’t give up—no matter how hard it is," Yu insisted.

Zhang Shi nodded. At first, he disagreed, but in the end, saw the sense in her words.

After half a day’s journey, Zhang Yue returned to Guo the Scholar’s house. The first thing he did was seek out Guo Lin. "The job copying books at the Zhang Clan’s ancestral school—could you include me as well?"